I love the races organized by A Better World Running. I am on my 5th race with them and I love the organizers because you can tell they care about providing a running venue that it is affordable for runners who want to keep motivated about running. I like the fact that the races are small because you get to meet other runners and you motivate one another. I like the fact that they offer races in multiple locations. I also like the fact that some races are on Saturdays. Plus, there is not need to make an extra trip to pick up your bib. The photos are free and results are updated the same day as the race. I have previously ran many popular races with thousands of participants and I no longer enjoy running with the multitudes anymore. Instead, I prefer small races where you can really enjoy a race for the pure joy of running and making new friends. Thank you A Better World Running for providing an affordable venue for runners to stay motivated to run! Yazmin Ranger read more

Great race company. Positive energy. Their medals are the best compared some of the others. They host races all over SoCal. If you want an affordable race, sign up with ABWR. read more

A Better World Running - People enjoying the post race festivities. - Races & Competitions Near Me - Long Beach, California

Just finished the ocean breeze half marathon in Santa Monica! The trail was nice and I love that paved trail along the beach. They set up red cones and wrote red chalk on the pavement for the 5/10/15k and then a ways down they did the same in green for the half marathoners! When I first walked up to the table (around 7:20) one of the people working the table signing in was busy so I went to the other and she was also mid conversation, which was fine! I eventually got my bib and signed in. At the start of the race there was a photographer taking some pictures but that was the only time I saw him. Was bummed there wasn't any at the end of the race! The half marathon was 3 large marked loops. At the loop marks (the original check in table) they had waters and what looked like some lemonade and energy gels. LOVED THAT! Once I had just passed my 13 mile mark, I was so excited I could see the finish line flags up where it was supposed to end. But by the time I reached 13.1 they had taken the flags down. I was confused because I didn't even recognize the spot exactly. But thankfully my friend was there and I recognized him. Was really discouraged though that the sweet cheerleaders and people working looked like they had already torn their set up down and started to go home. They were so encouraging during the race! It was 10:25ish, and the end time (in the email) was 10:45. The race started at 7:30am. I kinda wandered for a second since I wasn't sure what to do, and it seemed nobody was really paying attention. I would've loved a photo by the finish line but it was just chalk. Before I left though, thankfully I was handed a medal and someone else pulled the snacks back out for me to grab a few. They congratulated me and waved bye! Overall, the run was nice. AND the weather was amazing! It's just so much more exciting to see at LEAST the flags up as you cross the finish line after a long race. To not, was weird, and sad! Even if I was the last one to finish. Hopefully nobody else was behind me. read more

I love this organization! I ran with them for several years (mostly in Long Beach) and I want to go back! They always had fun medals and swag bags! The runs are fun and usually by the beach, easy and I always met the coolest people. Organizers are amazing! Definitely do a run! ‍ read more

A Better World Running - Races & Competitions Near Me - Long Beach, California

I love A Better World Running Races. Mark and Michelle are so quick in responding to questions before the race. They are ready to go with bibs and additional race registration info at least an hour before the races start. I love the cost for a half, AND you get every 5th race free!! Can't beat the price in Southern California read more

GREAT RACE COMPANY!! If you want to run a race and avoid massive crowds and avoid expensive runs, but still get all the perks of a timed race, morale boost with people cheering, a medal, and a goodie bag with treats and water: THIS IS YOUR COMPANY. I've run two half marathons and a 15K through them. They're AMAZING. They have a 5K, 10K, 15K, and half marathon distance for their races. They usually take place once in Long Beach and once in Santa Monica throughout the year. They have a TON OF DATES (almost every month). It's not super crowded but still enough people to keep you motivated. They have a photographer on course. They post the photos and the timing/standings shortly after the race. The people are extremely friendly. They give you a bag with bananas, snacks, water, and electrolytes. During the race, they have a water station with Gatorade & Gu gels. It's so nice!! And the races are extremely cheap and affordable. Couldnt recommend them more. Super happy I was able to find them. For the last one, my friend and I got injured, so we emailed to change to a later race date. They got back within minutes and changed our dates for free. It was amazing service! read more

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Great first race experience,will be doing another with this group soon.low on pocket and fun.

Best races! Super friendly hosts, affordable, and routes are on the beautiful beaches. Having no staggered start is nice (in comparison to big races), and they hand out high quality medals as well as food. I would definitely recommend anyone running these races! read more

Recently I decided to sign up for a couple of 10 & 15k races, since these races have a large number of participants you have to provide proof of your race time/pace so you don't get stuck in the open corral with people that may be walking or pushing strollers during the race. I found A Better World Racing online and saw they have races just about every weekend across LA in Long Beach, Santa Monica, Van Nuys, Hunnington Beach, & some other cities. The races are affordable $17 - $30 for 5, 10, & 15k races depending on when you sign up & I believe the 1/2 & full marathon are around $40-$50. The organizers are a small group of 7-10 people from what I remember. Because it's a small group & the race prices are low there aren't any goodie bags or T-shirts but everyone does get a finishers medal, and there are post race snacks (bananas & granola bars) & water/Gatorade at the finish line. My race & from the descriptions I've seen online most of the races are loops on a 5k course so if you're going to do a half marathon don't expect a 13 miles run around the city. With it being on a course & each race having a limited number of participants there aren't medical units on site so keep that in mind. Checking in & getting your race bib was an easy process you just check in 30 minutes before your race starts, and again since there's a limited number of people they have each race checking in doesn't take long. They post the race results/times on their website, & race photos are on their facebook page. I was able to take a screen shot of my race time from their website & use that to qualify for a better starting coral for my up coming races. If you're training for a large race in the future & need proof of your time or you just want to see how you run in an actual race compared to how you do when you're just training I'd definitely recommend looking into one of their races. read more

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These runs are so much fun. They are so well organized. The runs start on time and the course routes are week marked. Mark, Michelle and their team are all so very nice. This is a great weekend activity to run solo and have some friend and family join you to then grab breakfast following the run. And the Santa Monica runs are at the beach, so the view is awesome as well. And you also get a medal and goodies at the end of the run. Additionally, they have a water, Gatorade and GU station for during or after the run. read more

I lived in the Valley all of my life and just discovered this running organization last year! (Who would have thunk it that it was so close to home?!) And I'm glad I did! I ran monster races where there could be 80,000 to 100,000 registered runners easily. Those races (though enjoyable and scenic) were just too crowded; I would spend the first two miles of a 12K just walking because of the size of the crowd. Plus these races were usually quite pricey. I found A Better World Running on some race site and was pleasantly surprised by the number of races available in the Valley. Plus it's a no-nonsense budget race organization, perfect for folks who just want to run to get healthy, break in new running shoes, and run with friends/family. It's budget friendly ranging from $20 for a 5K to $35 for a half-marathon. There are no shirts/swag bag you do receive a medal and recovery food/drink upon completing your respective race. The races are well-organized and you get rewarded (free race entry) if you completed a certain number of races. All race distances start at the same starting point; there are no livestock corrals to line up in. Overall I'm very pleased with ABWR and will continue run with them. read more

Hey runners, had my first half marathon in over two years and felt pretty good. Thanks to the organizers for making this event truly low-pressure and open to all ages and running levels. BIG Thanks to my running "nemesis" Karissa. You rock girl! I tried to run side-by-side, but she was impossible to pass. Only reason I finished ahead is because she stopped to tie her shoelaces. LOL. Thanks again! read more

Earlier this month I completed my first 10K! Laura S. and I needed a 10K time for a race we are doing this winter, so we searched online and found this one. It seemed like a good race--small with a limited number of people (150 people max), by the beach, with free swag and posted times after the run. The price was good too--since they don't give you a race shirt and they have very minimal staff, the cost of doing a 10K was just $22. The half marathon is $32 while the full marathon is $42. I don't think they give refunds but they will let you drop down to a lesser distance if you wish (a lot of the half marathon runners dropped down to 10K the day of since it was so hot). The course is easy to find with plenty of parking nearby (in the beach parking lot which opened at 7AM). The 10K started at 7:30AM giving us plenty of time to check in, get our bibs, drink some water, and stretch. The course is open--you just run along the beach path until you hit the point where you are supposed to loop back. For the 10K runners, there were two orange cones along with sidewalk chalk that said to turn around. For the half/full marathon runners, there was an aid table 0.4 miles further than our halfway point (3.1 miles) that they would turn around at. The distances are a bit off because then the half marathon runners are doing approx 14 miles (2 full loops) and the full marathon runners are doing approx 28 miles (4 full loops) but... that's how it was. Let me start with the gripes I had about this run: -- No mile markers! I feel that mile markers are important to keep us motivated and also give us a chance to feel good about reaching a certain distance (especially since the furthest I've ever run before this is a 5K). Laura and I had no idea how far we had gone, how much further we had to go, so it was hard for us to pace ourselves and keep ourselves going. At one point we were convinced we must almost be at the halfway point but then we asked a returning runner how far we were and she told us we were only halfway there -_- -- No emergency personnel. This run is seriously bare-bones with just two people running it I think. I feel like this race is geared towards actual legit runners who run marathons all the time. I came to this race convinced I would die before I hit 10K so I was shocked that there was no one there to resuscitate me if necessary. All the 5Ks I've done had police officers and paramedics there! -- No water stations for the 10K. There were only two water/aid stations: the one at the start line, and the one at the 3.5 mile mark (where the half/full marathon people loop around). Since the 10K runners loop back 0.4 miles before that aid station, that means we don't have one! Apparently we were supposed to use the beach water fountains if we were really thirsty. I was too busy just trying to put one foot in front of the other to stray off course to use a water fountain. I get that there are only two people staffing this and it's really bare-bones, but dang! All my 5Ks has one water station (which you would pass by 2x) so I was dying trying to do a 10K without any water. Must buy a water pack thingy for next time... -- No shade. This one isn't their fault; I should have realised that running by a beach would mean there is no shade. I did think it would be cooler though, so that was a disappointment. It was hot before the race even started, although thankfully there was a light breeze on our way back. And now for the good stuff: -- MEDAL! I need tangible rewards. I love medals. Even though mine is a bit crooked... oh well. It's still a medal :P (This was also the third race in A Better World Runnings's weekend series, so runners that did a half/full marathon all three days in a row also got a personalised trophy.) -- Organiser dude was really nice :) -- Race was timed... kinda sorta. The organiser guy was at the finish line (formerly the start line) with a stopwatch and marked down everyone's time. So it's less official than a chip time, but since it's a small race it's not like anyone was stuck at the start line for several minutes or anything. -- Decent food offerings. They had bananas, GU gels, fruit snacks, and water/gatorade. They also had sunblock and leg cramp lotion. -- Free pictures posted online. The organizer took pictures of everyone on his P&S camera and there was a professional photographer (Rob Nelms) there with his DSLR as well. And both sets of pictures were quickly posted online with no watermark! Yay :D While I probably won't be a repeat customer of A Better World Running, I'm glad we did this 10K and more importantly that we survived... and hit our goal time! YAY FOR FREEDOM! 'MURICA! read more

A Better World Running - The beautiful sight greeting you when you finally finish - Races & Competitions Near Me - Long Beach, California

I was a little confused when looking at a few websites about the races on 4th of July weekend, and accidentally signed up for the wrong one. A Better World got back to my email the morning of the race we wanted to and were flexible and easy about it. These people are low maintenance, high energy runners! They don't provide fancy or gimmicky, but provide solid races at great prices (especially for California). We were very happy with our run choice (especially after having a few other races canceled recently). Plus, it's awesome to have free photos, and often the race organizers are running along side of you! read more

They couldn't give a refund even during a global pandemic. I was really looking forward to doing the half marathon they had this March. Sounded like a great event, they are still even now encouraging people to come run where they are at various race locations even though all non-essential activities have been shutdown. They wouldn't allow even a simple 40 dollar refund. What's the point of running a virtual race? I can do that everyday, I was looking forward to going against other runners not running against the wind. They did offer to run at a later date but I'd rather not even bother. read more

Very well organized! Friendly. And also cheap! And you get to run on the beach path (Long Beach, Santa Monica, Huntington Beach) they also have races in Van Nuys. I love this organization with their laid back, no frills races. I like running in their races to test out equipment and shoes so I'm not doing so during a bigger, more expensive race. They take free photos (they put them on Facebook usually the same day) there's after race snacks, water, gatoraide and yes the finisher medals are low budget but lately they've been giving out some really cool ones. read more

Really awesome race for locals..good practice runs for good price (not expensive)...friendly organizers...decent medals ...most recommended

Ran a 10k in Santa Monica with A Better World Running and it went smoothly, despite the fact that it was on the day of one of the rare LA rainstorms. The main motivator was the low price because of their smaller overhead (25 dollars for a 10k). You still get a bunch of snacks and drinks at the end and you get a medal, but that's about it. The staff were very friendly and seemed very organized. The races are on public beach paths but since it's early enough you don't run into them that often. That said, I felt like there could've been more markers on the path to let you know how much further and to really prep you for the loop. There wasn't really staff along the route to guide you so this is especially important. Another thing I wish they'd do, is to have up to the minute updates on social media in case of things like bad weather. I guess these things are rain-or-shine but if there was a change of plans I'd like to know well ahead of time. read more

We love Better World Running. Mark and Michelle are amazing. The races are low key, start on time, are fun and the medals are great. We've done the 5K, 10K and 15K races. We especially love the holiday races and are very grateful to be able to participate. read more

I just ran a half-marathon with Better World Running yesterday. What a great opportunity, running a timed yet friendly half-marathon for only $35. With the entrance fee to most half-marathons climbing above $100, it's terrific to find an option that won't break the bank. I appreciate not having to drive to a race location the day before the run in order to pick up my bib. I'm an experienced runner and no longer excited by expos; they are more of a hassle to me. Being that Better World events are small, you just show up right before the run to pick up your bib. Eco-friendly! The pre-race area was organized and efficient. The other runners were encouraging, enthusiastic types. The start/finish line was at a location that was easy to reach regardless whether you opted for street or lot parking. The organizers are very easy to reach by email, quickly responding to a few questions I had prior to registration. My sole caveat is that you must pay attention while running. The course was marked with only a few small orange cones- there is no additional race support except at the starting line (which you also pass at miles 4 and 8). It is up to you to see where the course veers and when you turn around. As there are so few runners, you cannot depend on just following the pack. Nonetheless, given the cheap registration fee and the very spirited organizers, I would absolutely run another race with Better World! read more

Low cost runs that still provide good support. Excellent selection at aid stations and friendly people

Great organization to run with and I'm very happy to have found them. I truly enjoy running these races with my mom and she's a big fan too! Thank you so much and see you next weekend read more

Always an awesome experience with A Better World Running!! These races are fantastic for those that love a more personable race/fun run experience without all the extra hassle of larger races. What's awesome about their races? Well stocked aid station: the 5ks even have gels for their runners! More relaxed then larger races. Awesome goodie bag options Super affordable cost (20$ for a 5k and 35$ for a half marathon is amazing!) Hardly any wait to check in Free photos to download (usually thousands posted Lots of restrooms Almost exact distance courses Results posted by evening of race Super friendly run organizers who are runners themselves and know how to care for their runners Very flexible ( one can change race distance) A one time free transfer if one can't make it to a race Registration usually open until the day before the race. Lots of registration options to save on fees read more

I have run over 30 races with ABWR over the last six years, back to when they were called Rocket Racing. You will not find race organizers who are more friendly than Mark and Michelle. They are both excellent runners, and they know what you need and what you don't need. That is what helps keep the cost down...and every fifth race you run is free. If you want mike markers, I recommend using Strava or Nike Plus apps, where you can get feedback every 1/4 mile, 1/2 mile or mile. Way better than mile markers. Mile markers are hard to put out when you have as many as five different race distances over the same course--so, use your Garmin watch or phone. I am surprised that people who run or walk regularly don't use these apps or a Garmin watch to train, as there are no mile markers the other six days of the week. I use their races to motivate and push myself as I train for marathons and ultra marathons. The low cost makes this possible, and the medals, while not like what you get from major marathons, are just as special and meaningful, especially when you PR. I love ABWR, and I love Mark and Michelle. Check them out, you will love the experience! read more

I love their races. Mark & Michelle and their team organize them almost every weekend and they are super friendly. These races are no-frills, reasonably priced, well-organized races. Plus the 5th race is free! I use them for training runs for marathons, currently for Boston 2017! read more

My family of 5 ran our 1st "A Better World Running" event. Loved the low cost 1st of all. And we all agreed we loved the bling over a shirt any day! Only suggestions would be an additional water stop. Can't recommend these guys enough. See you again soon! read more

I love running A Better World Running races. They are small, informal, inexpensive, easy to get to and run almost every weekend. Everyone gets a medal and there are lots of refreshments at the end and the race photos are free. Probably the best feature is the folks running the races. They are super-friendly. Your fifth race is free and there is a no-hassle race transfer policy. read more